Daniel K. L. Chua earned his PhD in musicology from Cambridge University and is currently Professor… and Chair of music at the University of Hong Kong. Before joining HKU, he was the Director of Studies at St John’s College, Cambridge, and later Professor of Music Theory and Analysis at King’s College London. He was a Visiting Senior Research fellow at Yale (2014–15), a Henry Fellow at Harvard (1992–3), and a Research Fellow at Cambridge (1993–7). He is the recipient of the 2004 Royal Musical Association’s Dent Medal. He was editor of Music & Letters and is on the editorial board of major musicological journals. He was a Director-at-Large of the International Musicological Society and is currently the Society’s President (2017–2022). He has written widely on music, from Monteverdi to Stravinsky, but is particularly known for his work on (i) Beethoven, (ii) the intersection between music, philosophy and theology, and (iii) the history of ‘absolute music’. His publications include ‘The ‘Galitzin’ Quartets of Beethoven’ (Princeton, 1994), ‘Absolute Music and the Construction of Meaning’ (Cambridge, 1999), ‘Beethoven and Freedom’, (Oxford, 2017), ‘Rioting With Stravinsky: A Particular Analysis of the Rite of Spring’ (2007), ‘Beethoven’s Other Humanism’ (2009), and ‘Listening to the Self: The Shawshank Redemption and the Technology of Music’ (2011). He is currently collaborating on various theologically inflected projects based at Duke and Yale Divinity Schools and is working on a post-human manifesto modestly entitled An Intergalactic Music Theory of Everything (IMTE).Daniel K. L. Chua earned his PhD in musicology from Cambridge University and is currently Professor and Chair of music at the University of Hong Kong. Before joining HKU, he was the Director of Studies at St John’s College, Cambridge, and later Professor of Music Theory and… Analysis at King’s College London. He was a Visiting Senior Research fellow at Yale (2014–15), a Henry Fellow at Harvard (1992–3), and a Research Fellow at Cambridge (1993–7). He is the recipient of the 2004 Royal Musical Association’s Dent Medal. He was editor of Music & Letters and is on the editorial board of major musicological journals. He was a Director-at-Large of the International Musicological Society and is currently the Society’s President (2017–2022). He has written widely on music, from Monteverdi to Stravinsky, but is particularly known for his work on (i) Beethoven, (ii) the intersection between music, philosophy and theology, and (iii) the history of ‘absolute music’. His publications include ‘The ‘Galitzin’ Quartets of Beethoven’ (Princeton, 1994), ‘Absolute Music and the Construction of Meaning’ (Cambridge, 1999), ‘Beethoven and Freedom’, (Oxford, 2017), ‘Rioting With Stravinsky: A Particular Analysis of the Rite of Spring’ (2007), ‘Beethoven’s Other Humanism’ (2009), and ‘Listening to the Self: The Shawshank Redemption and the Technology of Music’ (2011). He is currently collaborating on various theologically inflected projects based at Duke and Yale Divinity Schools and is working on a post-human manifesto modestly entitled An Intergalactic Music Theory of Everything (IMTE).Daniel K. L. Chua earned his PhD in musicology from Cambridge University and is currently Professor and Chair of music at the University of Hong Kong. Before joining HKU, he was the Director of Studies at St John’s College, Cambridge, and later Professor of Music Theory and Analysis at King’s College London. He was a Visiting Senior Research fellow at Yale (2014–15), a Henry Fellow at Harvard (1992–3), and a Research Fellow at Cambridge (1993–7). He is the recipient of the 2004 Royal Musical Association’s Dent Medal. He was editor of Music & Letters and is on the editorial board of major… musicological journals. He was a Director-at-Large of the International Musicological Society and is currently the Society’s President (2017–2022). He has written widely on music, from Monteverdi to Stravinsky, but is particularly known for his work on (i) Beethoven, (ii) the intersection between music, philosophy and theology, and (iii) the history of ‘absolute music’. His publications include ‘The ‘Galitzin’ Quartets of Beethoven’ (Princeton, 1994), ‘Absolute Music and the Construction of Meaning’ (Cambridge, 1999), ‘Beethoven and Freedom’, (Oxford, 2017), ‘Rioting With Stravinsky: A Particular Analysis of the Rite of Spring’ (2007), ‘Beethoven’s Other Humanism’ (2009), and ‘Listening to the Self: The Shawshank Redemption and the Technology of Music’ (2011). He is currently collaborating on various theologically inflected projects based at Duke and Yale Divinity Schools and is working on a post-human manifesto modestly entitled An Intergalactic Music Theory of Everything (IMTE).
Jonathan Johnson is an artist, aesthetic philosopher, and minister whose work investigates the… crossroads of philosophy and religion and the conversations between East Asian and Western ideas. Having received his PhD at Hong Kong Baptist University on the topic of negative aesthetics — ugliness in particular — Jonathan has had his writings on Kantian ugliness published in both English and French. His research into negative aesthetics extends to the sublime, with a focus on Chinese sublime artworks (the shanshui 山水 paintings and writings of Guoxi 郭熙, and works of penjing 盆景). In this area he has contributed a translation of portions of Guoxi’s writings (Linquan Gaozhi 林泉高致) to Robert Clewis’ The Sublime Reader (2018). At the crossroads of philosophy and religion, he has edited, along with Shun Hing Chan, Civil Society and Christian Religion in Greater China (2021). His recent writings include the comparison of aesthetic intentionalism and religious originalism (Originalism in Theology and Law, 2024), and the introduction of the concept of the Chinese sublime into aesthetic discourse (“The Sublime Extends to Chinese Aesthetics” in Philosophy East and West, no. 75, Jan 2025). As an artist, Jonathan has worked both as an illustrator and theatre designer, and his work features on the cover of Bertrand Naivin’s Sur La Laideur (2018). A passionate educator, Jonathan has taught numerous courses in general philosophy, religion, and aesthetics. His ongoing researches are in the areas of: Chinese aesthetics, the Chinese sublime (chonggao 崇高), negative aesthetics, philosophies of suffering, and ugliness and the problem of evil.Jonathan Johnson is an artist, aesthetic philosopher, and minister whose work investigates the crossroads of philosophy and religion and the conversations between East Asian and Western ideas. Having received his PhD at Hong Kong Baptist University on the topic of negative… aesthetics — ugliness in particular — Jonathan has had his writings on Kantian ugliness published in both English and French. His research into negative aesthetics extends to the sublime, with a focus on Chinese sublime artworks (the shanshui 山水 paintings and writings of Guoxi 郭熙, and works of penjing 盆景). In this area he has contributed a translation of portions of Guoxi’s writings (Linquan Gaozhi 林泉高致) to Robert Clewis’ The Sublime Reader (2018). At the crossroads of philosophy and religion, he has edited, along with Shun Hing Chan, Civil Society and Christian Religion in Greater China (2021). His recent writings include the comparison of aesthetic intentionalism and religious originalism (Originalism in Theology and Law, 2024), and the introduction of the concept of the Chinese sublime into aesthetic discourse (“The Sublime Extends to Chinese Aesthetics” in Philosophy East and West, no. 75, Jan 2025). As an artist, Jonathan has worked both as an illustrator and theatre designer, and his work features on the cover of Bertrand Naivin’s Sur La Laideur (2018). A passionate educator, Jonathan has taught numerous courses in general philosophy, religion, and aesthetics. His ongoing researches are in the areas of: Chinese aesthetics, the Chinese sublime (chonggao 崇高), negative aesthetics, philosophies of suffering, and ugliness and the problem of evil.Jonathan Johnson is an artist, aesthetic philosopher, and minister whose work investigates the crossroads of philosophy and religion and the conversations between East Asian and Western ideas. Having received his PhD at Hong Kong Baptist University on the topic of negative aesthetics — ugliness in particular — Jonathan has had his writings on Kantian ugliness published in both English and French. His research into negative aesthetics extends to the sublime, with a focus on Chinese sublime artworks (the shanshui 山水 paintings and writings of Guoxi 郭熙, and works of penjing 盆景). In this area he… has contributed a translation of portions of Guoxi’s writings (Linquan Gaozhi 林泉高致) to Robert Clewis’ The Sublime Reader (2018). At the crossroads of philosophy and religion, he has edited, along with Shun Hing Chan, Civil Society and Christian Religion in Greater China (2021). His recent writings include the comparison of aesthetic intentionalism and religious originalism (Originalism in Theology and Law, 2024), and the introduction of the concept of the Chinese sublime into aesthetic discourse (“The Sublime Extends to Chinese Aesthetics” in Philosophy East and West, no. 75, Jan 2025). As an artist, Jonathan has worked both as an illustrator and theatre designer, and his work features on the cover of Bertrand Naivin’s Sur La Laideur (2018). A passionate educator, Jonathan has taught numerous courses in general philosophy, religion, and aesthetics. His ongoing researches are in the areas of: Chinese aesthetics, the Chinese sublime (chonggao 崇高), negative aesthetics, philosophies of suffering, and ugliness and the problem of evil.
Sheila holds a deep commitment to navigating questions of purpose and global citizenship. She has a… LLB from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Laws in International Trade Law and has over two decades of experience spanning corporate law, public policy, diplomacy and international trade negotiations. She has led regional regulatory engagement at Microsoft Asia Pacific. She was also a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Her work has been particularly defined by bridging the gap between public policy and commercial strategy, having been on the Singapore negotiating teams for multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements. She is also deeply invested in cultural diplomacy and community resilience, dedicating her time as a museum docent and a youth instructor.Sheila holds a deep commitment to navigating questions of purpose and global citizenship. She has a LLB from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Laws in International Trade Law and has over two decades of experience spanning corporate law, public policy,… diplomacy and international trade negotiations. She has led regional regulatory engagement at Microsoft Asia Pacific. She was also a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Her work has been particularly defined by bridging the gap between public policy and commercial strategy, having been on the Singapore negotiating teams for multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements. She is also deeply invested in cultural diplomacy and community resilience, dedicating her time as a museum docent and a youth instructor.Sheila holds a deep commitment to navigating questions of purpose and global citizenship. She has a LLB from the National University of Singapore and a Master of Laws in International Trade Law and has over two decades of experience spanning corporate law, public policy, diplomacy and international trade negotiations. She has led regional regulatory engagement at Microsoft Asia Pacific. She was also a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Her work has been particularly defined by bridging the gap between public policy and commercial strategy, having been on the Singapore… negotiating teams for multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements. She is also deeply invested in cultural diplomacy and community resilience, dedicating her time as a museum docent and a youth instructor.
Professor Samson Tse is Professor of Mental Health in the Department of Social Work and Social… Administration, Deputy Head of Department, and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Education) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of Hong Kong. He is also the Director of HKU’s Co-operative Education Programme. He has been involved in Lead for Life since its inception, contributing his leadership during his tenure as Dean of Student Affairs (September 2020 - June 2025), and continuing to do so now. Samson has co-led and contributed to the inaugural faculty-based character leadership programme in the Social Sciences Faculty since 2017 while he was the Faculty’s Associate Dean. He is the Fellow and Accredited Supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). The corpus of Professor Tse’s research and scholarship is on building knowledge for the human services that support people with severe mental illness and those affected by addiction problem and in turn, to improve the wellbeing of service users, families and caregivers. Prior to his relocation to Hong Kong, he worked in New Zealand – Dunedin and Auckland− for over 20 years. Professor Tse has authored/ co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of addiction and mental health. He has served on various government committees in Hong Kong and overseas and has held honorary and visiting professorial positions at Yale University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Auckland throughout the years. In 2024, he received the University Grants Committee’s Teaching Award in the Collaborative Team category and the Mental Health Award for Excellence in Care from the Mental Health Foundation, Hong Kong. Additionally, he is a recipient of the 2024 Knowledge Exchange (KE) Excellence Award (Team) from HKU.Professor Samson Tse is Professor of Mental Health in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Deputy Head of Department, and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Education) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of Hong Kong. He is also the Director of… HKU’s Co-operative Education Programme. He has been involved in Lead for Life since its inception, contributing his leadership during his tenure as Dean of Student Affairs (September 2020 - June 2025), and continuing to do so now. Samson has co-led and contributed to the inaugural faculty-based character leadership programme in the Social Sciences Faculty since 2017 while he was the Faculty’s Associate Dean. He is the Fellow and Accredited Supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). The corpus of Professor Tse’s research and scholarship is on building knowledge for the human services that support people with severe mental illness and those affected by addiction problem and in turn, to improve the wellbeing of service users, families and caregivers. Prior to his relocation to Hong Kong, he worked in New Zealand – Dunedin and Auckland− for over 20 years. Professor Tse has authored/ co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of addiction and mental health. He has served on various government committees in Hong Kong and overseas and has held honorary and visiting professorial positions at Yale University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Auckland throughout the years. In 2024, he received the University Grants Committee’s Teaching Award in the Collaborative Team category and the Mental Health Award for Excellence in Care from the Mental Health Foundation, Hong Kong. Additionally, he is a recipient of the 2024 Knowledge Exchange (KE) Excellence Award (Team) from HKU.Professor Samson Tse is Professor of Mental Health in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Deputy Head of Department, and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Education) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of Hong Kong. He is also the Director of HKU’s Co-operative Education Programme. He has been involved in Lead for Life since its inception, contributing his leadership during his tenure as Dean of Student Affairs (September 2020 - June 2025), and continuing to do so now. Samson has co-led and contributed to the inaugural faculty-based character leadership… programme in the Social Sciences Faculty since 2017 while he was the Faculty’s Associate Dean. He is the Fellow and Accredited Supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). The corpus of Professor Tse’s research and scholarship is on building knowledge for the human services that support people with severe mental illness and those affected by addiction problem and in turn, to improve the wellbeing of service users, families and caregivers. Prior to his relocation to Hong Kong, he worked in New Zealand – Dunedin and Auckland− for over 20 years. Professor Tse has authored/ co-authored over 230 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of addiction and mental health. He has served on various government committees in Hong Kong and overseas and has held honorary and visiting professorial positions at Yale University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Auckland throughout the years. In 2024, he received the University Grants Committee’s Teaching Award in the Collaborative Team category and the Mental Health Award for Excellence in Care from the Mental Health Foundation, Hong Kong. Additionally, he is a recipient of the 2024 Knowledge Exchange (KE) Excellence Award (Team) from HKU.
Hua Loon has worked as an educator and researcher in a variety of academic settings in Singapore,… Malaysia, and Hong Kong. He earned his MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Nottingham, UK, and his PhD in Education from the University of Hong Kong. Other qualifications include Diplomas in Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood Education, a life coaching certification, and proficiency in a range of psychometric tools for self-discovery and team development. In the early stages of his career, Hua Loon’s research focused on character education, personal and team leadership development, and financial literacy education for students. Prior to joining HKU as a Senior Research Assistant, he was a research assistant and project manager at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Currently, his research interests incorporate mixed-methods research to investigate character and leadership education, purpose, flourishing and communities. As principal investigator for the Lead for Life program curriculum and research, Hua Loon is committed to enriching learners’ lives through the application of good educational theories and practices in teaching and research.Hua Loon has worked as an educator and researcher in a variety of academic settings in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. He earned his MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Nottingham, UK, and his PhD in Education from the University of Hong Kong. Other… qualifications include Diplomas in Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood Education, a life coaching certification, and proficiency in a range of psychometric tools for self-discovery and team development. In the early stages of his career, Hua Loon’s research focused on character education, personal and team leadership development, and financial literacy education for students. Prior to joining HKU as a Senior Research Assistant, he was a research assistant and project manager at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Currently, his research interests incorporate mixed-methods research to investigate character and leadership education, purpose, flourishing and communities. As principal investigator for the Lead for Life program curriculum and research, Hua Loon is committed to enriching learners’ lives through the application of good educational theories and practices in teaching and research.Hua Loon has worked as an educator and researcher in a variety of academic settings in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. He earned his MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Nottingham, UK, and his PhD in Education from the University of Hong Kong. Other qualifications include Diplomas in Infant, Toddler and Early Childhood Education, a life coaching certification, and proficiency in a range of psychometric tools for self-discovery and team development. In the early stages of his career, Hua Loon’s research focused on character education, personal and team leadership… development, and financial literacy education for students. Prior to joining HKU as a Senior Research Assistant, he was a research assistant and project manager at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Currently, his research interests incorporate mixed-methods research to investigate character and leadership education, purpose, flourishing and communities. As principal investigator for the Lead for Life program curriculum and research, Hua Loon is committed to enriching learners’ lives through the application of good educational theories and practices in teaching and research.
Zita keeps the Lead for Life team running smoothly by overseeing day-to-day administration,… budgeting, operations and logistics. She coordinates Lead for Life’s key events, workshops, and activity days and plays a key role in collaborating with external teams. As someone who has always enjoyed hiking and nature, visiting Switzerland took her appreciation for scenic views to a whole new level! She enjoys quiet weekends relaxing at home or heading out to explore new parks and hiking trails.Zita keeps the Lead for Life team running smoothly by overseeing day-to-day administration, budgeting, operations and logistics. She coordinates Lead for Life’s key events, workshops, and activity days and plays a key role in collaborating with external teams. As someone who has… always enjoyed hiking and nature, visiting Switzerland took her appreciation for scenic views to a whole new level! She enjoys quiet weekends relaxing at home or heading out to explore new parks and hiking trails.Zita keeps the Lead for Life team running smoothly by overseeing day-to-day administration, budgeting, operations and logistics. She coordinates Lead for Life’s key events, workshops, and activity days and plays a key role in collaborating with external teams. As someone who has always enjoyed hiking and nature, visiting Switzerland took her appreciation for scenic views to a whole new level! She enjoys quiet weekends relaxing at home or heading out to explore new parks and hiking trails.
Francis is a teacher, a curriculum developer and a mentor. He is also a passionate advocate and an… executive coach on visionary and transformational leadership. After a career in Chinese History teaching at the University of Hawaii, Francis returned to Asia and has been in private equity investment for two decades. For over 10 years he has been mentoring young executives and entrepreneurs in portfolio companies in Greater China, Pan-Asia and North America contexts. Francis received his PhD education in history from the University of Hawaii, and in 2021 was conferred a professional doctorate in inter-cultural leadership studies (DMin) by Fuller Theological Seminary. He also has a master degree in leadership (MA, Luther Seminary) and another in modern Chinese intellectual history (MPhil, HKU). As one of the Principal Investigators, Francis’ latest venture is a multi-year research project co-sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and the Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University on “Forming Christ-like Leaders for the Global Public Sphere: Character Formation in a Polycentric World” scheduled to begin in the latter part of 2026.Francis is a teacher, a curriculum developer and a mentor. He is also a passionate advocate and an executive coach on visionary and transformational leadership. After a career in Chinese History teaching at the University of Hawaii, Francis returned to Asia and has been in… private equity investment for two decades. For over 10 years he has been mentoring young executives and entrepreneurs in portfolio companies in Greater China, Pan-Asia and North America contexts. Francis received his PhD education in history from the University of Hawaii, and in 2021 was conferred a professional doctorate in inter-cultural leadership studies (DMin) by Fuller Theological Seminary. He also has a master degree in leadership (MA, Luther Seminary) and another in modern Chinese intellectual history (MPhil, HKU). As one of the Principal Investigators, Francis’ latest venture is a multi-year research project co-sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and the Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University on “Forming Christ-like Leaders for the Global Public Sphere: Character Formation in a Polycentric World” scheduled to begin in the latter part of 2026.Francis is a teacher, a curriculum developer and a mentor. He is also a passionate advocate and an executive coach on visionary and transformational leadership. After a career in Chinese History teaching at the University of Hawaii, Francis returned to Asia and has been in private equity investment for two decades. For over 10 years he has been mentoring young executives and entrepreneurs in portfolio companies in Greater China, Pan-Asia and North America contexts. Francis received his PhD education in history from the University of Hawaii, and in 2021 was conferred a professional doctorate… in inter-cultural leadership studies (DMin) by Fuller Theological Seminary. He also has a master degree in leadership (MA, Luther Seminary) and another in modern Chinese intellectual history (MPhil, HKU). As one of the Principal Investigators, Francis’ latest venture is a multi-year research project co-sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and the Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University on “Forming Christ-like Leaders for the Global Public Sphere: Character Formation in a Polycentric World” scheduled to begin in the latter part of 2026.
Kent Kamasumba is a development practitioner and researcher specializing in international… development, foreign aid accountability, and East Asia–Africa relations. He holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in International Studies from Seoul National University, alongside a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland and a University Teaching Certification from the University of Hong Kong. His extensive background encompasses roles as a Visiting Scholar at the Seoul National University Asia Center, an ESG manager in the corporate sector, and a collaborator on UN and regional development projects. In addition to serving as a teaching assistant in the School of Humanities, he conducts research on faith-based development, ethics, and holistic flourishing. His work explores how ethical principles, values-driven leadership, and faith-based frameworks intersect with sustainable development practices to promote multidimensional human and community flourishing.Kent Kamasumba is a development practitioner and researcher specializing in international development, foreign aid accountability, and East Asia–Africa relations. He holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in International Studies from Seoul National University, alongside a… Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland and a University Teaching Certification from the University of Hong Kong. His extensive background encompasses roles as a Visiting Scholar at the Seoul National University Asia Center, an ESG manager in the corporate sector, and a collaborator on UN and regional development projects. In addition to serving as a teaching assistant in the School of Humanities, he conducts research on faith-based development, ethics, and holistic flourishing. His work explores how ethical principles, values-driven leadership, and faith-based frameworks intersect with sustainable development practices to promote multidimensional human and community flourishing.Kent Kamasumba is a development practitioner and researcher specializing in international development, foreign aid accountability, and East Asia–Africa relations. He holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in International Studies from Seoul National University, alongside a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Sunderland and a University Teaching Certification from the University of Hong Kong. His extensive background encompasses roles as a Visiting Scholar at the Seoul National University Asia Center, an ESG manager in the corporate sector, and a collaborator on UN… and regional development projects. In addition to serving as a teaching assistant in the School of Humanities, he conducts research on faith-based development, ethics, and holistic flourishing. His work explores how ethical principles, values-driven leadership, and faith-based frameworks intersect with sustainable development practices to promote multidimensional human and community flourishing.
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